I had it all planned. My Social Security was two months away, I would work until June or July, build up a little extra money in the bank, and then retire. I had my woodworking workshop nearly finished and would, perhaps even turn a couple of bucks selling stuff I made.
My wife, of just over a year, had her side planned. Chickens, milking goats, gardening and all the fun that goes with them. Fresh produce, milk, cheeses, and blue egger chickens, and perhaps later, honey bees.
We have been looking for a place in the southern part of Arizona. Phoenix has become too hot and congested. Sierra Vista. Cooler weather (relatively), cheaper (also relatively), and lots of ranchettes. We've been looking for a place with 4 -10 acres, a workshop, a guest house, preferably on the power grid.
Making our house in Phoenix ready for sale to maximize the market price has been problematic since the arrival of the pandemic. However, the economic impact of "stay at home" does not seem to have affected the estimated value of the property thus far. Our local big and little box store hours of operation and availability of materials has been a crapshoot for a couple of months.
Additionally, the "stay at home" order came post-layoff for myself and my brother and sister stagehands as theatrical, exhibition, concert, television, and film work canceled or otherwise screeched to a halt weeks before. The one poor advantage was to put me on the unemployment rolls a few days earlier than most other people. Small dispensation at best. I don't care how much federally assisted unemployment is, how much stimulus they throw at me, I'd rather be working.
I used to say "After I retire, I'll be keeping my schedule as much as possible. Taking care of animals. Working in my woodshop. Making Youtube videos. Marketing, budgeting, purchasing, and all the ranch work." I would go on to say, "I know exactly when that magic word "retire" is going to engage down to the day."
But now with the shutdown, who knows.
How has the shutdown affected your plans?
Be Well.
